Digital TV Guides

Digital TV tips when moving house

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

Are you moving house? Read our guide for tips on taking your existing TV service with you or subscribing to a new provider, so your TV is up-and-running when you move in. (Updated 31/3/10)

Moving house is stressful enough, without having to worry about changing your TV, home phone and broadband subscriptions. Fortunately, transferring your existing digital TV service when moving house is relatively straightforward.

Just follow these three basic steps, and your TV should be ready for you as soon as you move into your new home, so you won’t have to miss any of your favourite shows:

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1. Check digital TV availability

Use our digital TV postcode checker to check that your existing service will be available at your new address.

Most customers will be able to switch their subscription to their new address without a problem, providing that their new house is in an area that can receive the service (i.e. Virgin Media cable customers will only be able to get cable if the area they move to is able to receive cable services).

Satellite TV (either Sky or Freesat) is available to the majority of homes in the UK. Virgin Media’s cable network covers a smaller, but still significant percentage of UK homes. In both cases, there’s no absolute guarantee you’ll be able to carry over your TV service when you move, so we recommend checking whether the service is available in your new area before you do.

BT Vision and TalkTalk TV are are TV-over-broadband services (your TV comes through your phone line and is bundled with your broadband package). To continue using these services at your new address, you’ll need to make sure you have a broadband connection at the property.

You can use our postcode checker to see which services are available in the area you’re moving to.

If you find that your service is available at your new house, read the rest of the steps below. If your existing supplier cannot offer you a TV service in your new home, read our digital TV switching services advice.

2. Tell your provider you’re moving

You should notify your existing provider that you are moving house 14 days before you move, to give them time to complete the transfer. You can call your supplier on the number below:

• Sky - 08442 41 06 23
• Virgin Media - 0845 454 1111
• BT Vision - 0800 800 150
• TalkTalk TV - 0871 2223311
• Top Up TV - 08444 159 159

Most providers have a special “moving home” department that should take care of the transfer. They’ll also be happy to answer any questions you may have.

3. Arrange a transfer date

Give your existing provider your new address and the date you’ll be moving in. They can then arrange a date to transfer your service; and, if necessary, a date to come round and install any hardware or cables needed.

Remember to keep your provider informed if the date changes. This should guarantee that your service is up-and-running as soon as you move in, and that your service isn’t disconnected while you’re still at your old house.

If you follow these three simple steps, your TV should be transferred to your new address without any problems. If you find that your TV provider can’t transfer your service, read the information below:

My existing TV service cannot be transferred to my new address. What should I do?

There are several reasons why you may not be able to transfer your existing digital TV subscription to your new home. For example, you may be moving to an area that is unable to receive certain services, like Virgin Media’s cable TV. Or you may find that because you are moving into a flat or a listed building, you are unable to have a satellite dish installed.

If this is the case, you will have to look at the other digital TV options available in your area. Here are some suggestions:

• Moving into a flat - Some flats won’t let you fit a satellite dish to the property. In this case, see if you can have Virgin Media cable installed (if it’s available), or opt for BT Total Broadband and BT Vision. If not, Freeview will probably be available but you may have to boost the signal with an indoor aerial.
• Moving into a new build property - Negotiate with the builders/vendors to see if you can have your choice of supplier installed.
• Moving to an area that can’t receive cable TV - If you’re a cable customer but cable isn’t available in your new house, Virgin Media also offer a free service for Virgin Media National customers, which gives customers over 40 channels.